Shane Ayrsman and his wife, Sarah DeVore, chat with villager Rodney Bean in front of Tweedle D's, the couple's new CBD store in Yellow Springs. (Photo by Jessica Thomas)
New cannabis store opens in downtown Yellow Springs
- Published: March 17, 2023
When Shane Ayrsman and his wife, Sarah DeVore, started growing hemp plants and processing hemp oil at their farm in Oregon, they didn’t think much about the retail side of the business. But after years of learning about CBD, its medicinal effects and the business side of the industry, the couple has newly opened a store —Tweedle D’s — on Xenia Avenue, in the heart of downtown Yellow Springs.
Ayrsman and DeVore, who recently moved back to the village, said their main goal in opening a store here is to fill a need — relief from pain, anxiety and other ailments that can be aided by hemp oil and other hemp products. Ayrsman, who grew up in the village and graduated from Antioch College in 1998, said his interest in organic farming came out of a co-op experience he had while pursuing his undergraduate degree.
With a commitment to organic farming, Ayrsman and DeVore moved to Williams, Oregon, to start Bare Roots Farm, where they grow hemp plants and process them for hemp oil. They learned about processing by working alongside other farmers, and they created their own product.
“We kind of whittled our way in [to the industry],” Ayrsman said.
As a part of the boom of hemp farmers, Ayrsman and DeVore realized that there was an oversupply of hemp and hemp products on the market.
“Everyone wanted to get into the hemp market in Oregon,” Ayrsman said. “At the height there were between 100[,000] and 125,000 planted acres of hemp; that crashed and now there’s a few thousand acres planted.”
After years of farming and processing hemp and CBD products — including their own brand of oil — the couple decided to open a retail space to sell not only their own products, but also the products of other organic farmers they have met and worked with. The couple owns a Florida-based store, Roots CBD, where they sell CBD and hemp products from the Oregon-based farm they continue to operate.
Standing outside their newly opened store, Tweedle D’s, at 255 Xenia Ave. in downtown Yellow Springs — where they sell products derived from hemp plants — are Sarah DeVore and Shane Ayrsman. (Photo by Jessica Thomas)
Asked about the name of their Yellow Springs store — Tweedle D’s — DeVore and Ayrsman said it was a play on the name of one half of the famous pair Tweedledum and Tweedledee. The pair, Ayrsman said, are similar, but they are not the same, much like CBD and THC, which both come from the cannabis plant.
“We didn’t want to put ourselves into a box, like with the branding of our product, Roots CBD. That works in Florida, but anybody that comes to Yellow Springs recognizes there are also a lot of thinkers and people who know we’re not just selling CBD,” Ayrsman said. “Tweedle D, to me, says that it’s kind of the same as the other stuff, but not quite.”
Cannabidiol, or CBD, is one of the three major components of the cannabis plant. According to Medline.gov, CBD oil has several approved prescription uses including treatment for epilepsy, pain and anxiety. As part of the 2018 Farm Bill, the FDA approved cannabis derivatives containing less than 0.3% THC — the part of the cannabis plant that produces psychoactive effects. Tweedle D’s shelves will be filled with products derived from the different parts of the cannabis plant, such as CBD oils, Delta-8 and Delta-9 products, CBN, CBC and other cannabinoids.
One of Ayrsman and DeVore’s goals for their store is to break some of the stigmas associated with hemp and educate people on the differences between the plants that produce CBD and THC. The first step, Ayrsman said, is to change the image that comes to mind when someone mentions CBD.
“When people think of [CBD products] they think of products from a gas station or smoke shop,” Ayrsman said. “That’s the barrier we are trying to bring down. Instead, think of a lotion or a droplet that mixes with water. It’s on your desk at work because you’re having a lot of stress or anxiety.”
“We want people to look at our products in a new way,” DeVore added. “It’s not merely meant for [getting high] anymore. It’s plant medicine.”
Part of changing the understanding of CBD and other hemp products is educating the public about the uses and effects of hemp, THC, and CBD products. The products that Ayrsman and DeVore sell are formulated to work with the cannabinoid receptors humans have in their bodies.
“[Our products] provide an entourage effect,” Ayrsman said, describing the way that CBD can work alongside other parts of the cannabis plant. “We are offering a synergistic product.”
DeVore said the couple envisions the store to be more of a destination than a store customers pass through quickly.
“Walkthroughs will be a little tricky for the education piece, so we plan on having handouts, educational materials and classes in the future for people,” DeVore said. “When people come to our store in Florida, they almost get a counseling session.”
Acknowledging the lack of regulation for some CBD and hemp products, Ayrsman said it is important for customers to know where the product they are consuming is grown. DeVore said they often have customers who have tried different products at doses that are too high; in turn, they present lower dose options to customers and explain how to incrementally increase their dosage until they get the desired effect.
“We know exactly where all of our products come from and what they can do.” Ayrsman said. “We’re bringing people closer to the plant.”
Reflecting on the experience of moving back to Ayrsman’s hometown and starting a business, he and DeVore said they are excited to share their knowledge with the village.
“It’s been refreshing to come back to town and help the people who made me who I am,” Ayrsman said. “Come by and say hi!”
7 Responses to “New cannabis store opens in downtown Yellow Springs”
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I graduated from Antioch College in the 1980s and have lived in California now for several decades. Legalization of weed in California has led to far safer marijuana since all legal products must be tested for THC/CBD content and potential contaminants. It has also provided a needed source of tax revenue and reduced costs for governments due to unnecessary harassment of users of marijuana. Marijuana is safer and healthier than alcohol. I don’t believe smoking anything is good for you but in California there are hundreds of edible products that are far healthier than cigarettes.
I don’t know that any people selling product will be the most impartial information distributors. People used to think cigarettes were good for you. I remember when they used to have stand alone ash trays in the visitor’s lounge at area hospitals. It’s a troublesome part of humans’ nature to want to follow everyone off the cliff to paradise. Trouble is, paradise is best defined by the beholder.
Get the label warnings right for packaged product and maybe print brochures benefits/risks. It’s an income taxable commodity unless you’re growing your own for personal use, so the administration and sellers both have some responsibilities to see that information is conveyed with full disclosure as best the available science defines it. People need to wait for proper distribution marketing consumer protection strategies; that’s how lawsuits are best avoided.
Issue 2 was a citizens initiative; it was not introduced by “the administration” or legislature. If you are looking for information, workshops, and seminars, it would be best to look to those who were instrumental in getting it on the ballot. There was big money behind the passage of Issue 2. They have bountiful information available on the Interweb. It also only passed a little bit over 3 months ago. It is a bit naive to suggest that the State of Ohio should have robust programs in place to educate seniors as how to safely obtain and use cannabis when so much of the science is unsettled and contradictory. Further, it is still a Schedule 1 narcotic in the United States, unlike in Canada. Therefore it would be inappropriate for the Federal Government to put forth such a program unless and until it is no longer classified as a Schedule 1. Finally, given how the government technocrats gave us the ‘food pyramid’ and have backtracked on social distancing, masks, and lockdowns, it is probably best to not put much weight on whatever guidance they provide relative to cannabis usage for seniors. Good luck and Godspeed.
Canada published many useful online guides for older adults considering cannabis for the first time or renewed use. One thing that particular astounds me is the THC has increased in dry cannabis tremendously from past days when a dried plant reportedly averaged 4% THC and today’s average is 15-20 % or higher. I think any older adult planning on using recreational pot or to self treat medicinally should probably use caution and consult their MD first to see if it would be safe with current medications and what safe minimal dosage to start with.
I was never much of a pot user back in the heyday 60’s being one of those rare people who actually DID NOT like the way it made me feel, so, now, I am not willing to eagerly jump on board for the new hayride and am extremely cautious about any mood altering drugs. I do enjoy sobriety. That said, I support the legality and decimalization of marijuana, as I believe adult people make their own choices, and consequences are their own, too. But, in this circumstance the lack of available guidelines published Ohio for elderly making those choices is disappointing. I am doing the best I can to provide useful information to those I love to make wise choices. Thankfully, Canada has provided some useful guides! Here is a link to one such brochure in PDF. They have some useful other ones as well.
https://www.ccsa.ca/sites/default/files/2020-07/CCSA-Cannabis-Use-Older-Adults-Guide-2020-en.pdf
Currently reports are that Senior Citizens are the fastest growing population for marijuana use but I cannot find any informative lectures, or informational seminars in the area that would be beneficial in assisting seniors on decisions regarding purchase, use, or growing marijuana. This is a complete oversight and I’m only hoping it is corrected soon. It is appalling how little prepared the administration seems to have been for the legalization of marijuana in Ohio. Purchasing seeds online is quite expensive and not everyone has a green thumb for growing, so Please, lets hurry this process along, especially for older people who have waited long enough to have recreational access without jumping through all the hoops and costs of medical cards! Voters have spoken and this is what they want. There certainly doesn’t seem to be much focus on older people when they are the ones who have waited the longest and vote the most! $5 -$100+ online per seed to grow your own is a bit much, not to mention the wait time to harvest. Let’s get on with it! OK? Please. Peace &
Do they or will or can they sell little starter kits for folk who want to grow a marijuana plant indoors for themselves? Pretty certain that may be the only way I’d be willing to try any MJ herb as I’m extremely cautious re: THC. Perhaps I might give it a go if circumstances warranted. I think there might be a market for a grow kit especially for senior citizens who are curious — but hesitant. Watching a little plant grow, with proper instructions on how to cultivate, care for it, might make it less a boogie man. A grow club might be a nice change of pace from the regular pot luck events currently at most senior centers. Anyway, it’s just a thought. Something manageable, mind you, not mimicking ‘Little Shoppe of Horrors!’ Best Wishes Always! Peace & Love
This is such a great article!! It’s educational too!!